Warning apparatus



HEY 7 @935 P. C. GORDON 2,046,5E0

' WARNING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 22, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 P. c. GQRDONv v2,046,510

WARNING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 22, 1935 y July 7, 1936?'.

P. C. GORDON WARNING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 22, 1935 3 Sheets-Shevet 3 N P Jil Patented `Iuly 7, 1936 man r fil;

3 Claims.

' This invention relates to signaling apparatus or apparatus operated, as by the closing of an electrical circuit in response to a predetermined set of conditions determined not only by a cumulative measured factor, such as an electrical load upon a circuit, but also by a time factor, as, for example a denite period in which the cumulative factor or electrical load should not exceed a predetermined maximum.

In many localities public service corporations L supplying electrical power to industrial establishments determine their rates for electrical energy in such a manner that the rate is increased to impose a penalty, if the user of the power exceeds a predetermined maximum load quota, even for a relatively short interval. Thus under ordinary conditions the total amount of electrical power in kilowatts may be measured and recorded ior predetermined iifteen-minute intervals, a meter being provided to register the aggregate current consumed in each fifteen-minute period, and being provided with a pointer or the like adapted to be advanced during each fifteen-minute period when the load exceeds that of any preceding period. Accordingly, the meter reader upon visiting the plant may determine the greatest amount of energy used during any fifteen-minute period since the last meter reading. If this amount of energy used even in a single fifteenminute period should exceed the predetermined rmaximum, the user of electricity may be penalized by a considerably higher cost. This system is employed by the power-supplying companies so that their peak loads may not exceed capacity, and itis obviously very much to the interest of the power user to avoid exceeding the maximum quota in any iiiteen-minute or'other predetermined period of time.

The speciiic object of the present invention is therefore to provide apparatus effective to give a warning signal, and particularly an audible signal when the amount of power consumed is exceeding a rate which, if continued for the determined interval, as a fifteen-minute period, would cause the total amount of energy consumed or the period to exceed the predetermined quota.

To permit these desirable results a wattmeter mechanism is operable in response to the load upon the powerlines extending into the plan, this mechanism being effective in causing the advance of a circuit-closer toward a circuit-closing position corresponding to a condition wherein the load tends to exceed the determined quota, and a chronometrically controlled conditioning switch effective to condition the circuit for the warning signal so that it may be closed by the circuit-closer. Preferably two circuit-closers and two conditioning switches are provided in separate circuits, for example, the rst circuit-closer may move to its circuit-closing position whenever the amount of electrical energy consumed exceeds one determined fraction, as 2/3 of the maximum quota, while the corresponding conditioning switch may be held in closed position for the rst 2/3 of each determined period. Accordingly, the corresponding warning signal may be operated if as much as 2/3 of the predetermined maximum amount of energy is consumed within 2/3 of the determined period. The second circuit-closer and conditioning switch may be arranged to operate the corresponding warning signal nearer the end of the determined period, as for example, at the end of the fourteenth minute of a fifteen-minute period. Thus an arrangement is provided eiective to give a warning under practically any working conditions when there is danger of exceeding the determined load quota.

A further aspect of this invention relates to the provision of adjustable circuit-closing means including the twocircuit-closers, arranged so Ythat they may be moved to be potentially advanceable to circuit-closing position in response to different load conditions. Mechanism is provided to cause the advancing of these members toward their respective circuit-closing positions, and to permit their return to their original starting posi-` tions in synchronized relation to the beginning of each of the predetermined intervals, as, for example, the fifteen-minute intervals referred to.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a broken face view of the circuit-closer assembly or load dial assembly;

Fig; 2 is an elevational View of a part of the mechanism of the assembly shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 3 'is an elevational detail of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Fig, 4 is a section indicated by line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in different relative positions;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram somewhat schematic in character; and

Fig. '7 is an elevational detail of the portion of v the mechanism shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8 is a view of cam adjusting means which may be employed in certain installations.

In accordance with this invention, a load dial or a circuit-closer asembly may include a plurality, as for example a pair of circuit-closers, which are adjustably mounted on a rotating unit so that they may move into their respective circuitclosing positions as the unit rotates, means being provided to cause the advance movement or rotation of the unit in one direction for a fraction yof a revolution in accordance with impulses received from a source of intermittent current and operating a step type driving mechanism. Preferably the rotary unit may be driven through an angular distance proportional to the load being vmeasured by a watt-hour meter mechanism with which the circuit-closer assembly is operatively connected. A chronometric mechanism is also associated withV the circuit-closer assembly and is arranged to operate reset mechanism to cause the rotary unit to return to its original starting position at predetermined intervals of time, as for example at the end of successive fifteen-minute periods, so that the advance movement of therotary unit may then be repeated and the circuit- Yclo'sers may again advance toward their circuitclosing position. Y

In the accompanying drawings,V Fig. 1 shows a front view of the circuit-closer or load dial assembly which is provided with a substantiallyA ztially of the dial to a position indicating the point Y at which the needle 5 may move when the amount of current being consumed reaches the maximum forthe fifteen-minute period.

Mounted centrally of the housing 2 is a rotary unit comprising a shaft 22 upon which the pointer 5 is xed. This shaft extends inwardly through the dial 3 and is operatively associated with suitable driving and reset mechanism which will be presently described. Fixed to the shaft is a notched disk 23 having suitable graduations 24 ,upon its margin. lLoosely mounted upon the shaft 22 behind the disk 23 are a pair ofA collars 26. Each of these collars supports an Aoutstanding arm 21 of resilient metal. The outer end of each arm 21 is substantially of F-shape having an outwardly extending projection 28 which tremity 29 disposed in front of the disk 23 and forming a small pointer to register with one of the graduations upon the scale 24. The portion 29 of each arm 21 also forms a finger piece which may be `pressed inwardly to effect the disengagement of the projection 28 from the disk so that the arm may be rotated in relation to the disk to bring the projection 28 into registration with another notch upon the periphery of the disk, whereupon the pressure upon finger piece or pointer portion 29 of the arm may be released and the portion 28 of the arm will again move into engagement with the disk. It is thus evident that the arms 21 may be adjusted relative to each other and to the disk to permit any desired spacing thereof,'the spacing being readily observed by a reading of the scale 24. It is further evident that when the arms 21 are in their normal positions they are locked in engagement Projecting from the outer collar 26 isan Vextension 3D, while the inner collar- 26 has a similar extension 30e; these extensions 30 and 30a have cam-like protuberances 3l engageable with one Y arm of a circuit-closer or switch. Thus the front collar 26 has a circuit-closer 3B including a cam portion 3|, movable into a positionrto close the switch 34 while the other collar 26 has a circuit-closer 3i)a Vto close the switch 33.

The mechanism which is located behind the dial or face 3 of the circuit-closer assembly is more particularly illustrated'in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. This mechanism may be mounted upon a suitable supporting frame of the general type commonly employed in clocks and analogous instruments. The shaft 22 supports a notched wheel 36. disposed within this frame.V An advancing magnet 31 is arranged adjoining the wheel 36 so that it may intermittently attract a swinging armature member 38 which is looselymounted on the shaft 22. The member 38 has ra bifurcatedportion 39 upon which a swinging ratchet element 40 is pivotally mounted, this member having an end portion with a beveled edge 4l movable into and out of engagement with the toothed periphery of wheels 35', a suitable stop 42 and guide element 43 may be associated` with the ratchet member it to maintain the same in proper position throughout its range of movement. A substantially U-shaped leaf-spring 43 normally holds the swinging armature member 38 and the ratchet member 43 in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 but uponenergization ofv magnet 31 the end of member 38, which is connected to ratchet member 46, moves toward the'magnet causing the engagement of the ratchet edge 4l withthe toothed periphery of wheel 33 Vand causing the advance step movement ofthe wheel in an anti- 'shown in Fig. 2, by a. Spring V54 Integral with s.

the armature 5I is a depending arm 58 the lower end.Y of which carries a pivotal mounting from which thelocking member 53 projects. The end of this memberis notched or rabbeted, as shown n in Fig-2, and its extremity normally occupiesY the position adjoining magnetV which isshown in Fig. 2. A spring 65 is mounted on the portion of `the frame assembly which supportsshaft 52 and is provided with a slot 6l (Fig..3) through which the member 53 extends. Under normal condi- 4`tions the body of member 53 rests upon the lower Y wall of the slot 6|.' The lower wall of slot 6| Yclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, against f forms a locking element-which is engageable with the successive teethrupon the periphery of wheel 36 thus to lock the latter in advanced position as it is stepped ahead by the magnet 31 and ratchetelement 4U; thus the locking spring 60 is eiective'in holding the Wheel 36 against the action of the spring 48. When theY reset magnet 55 is energized the armature 5| moves downwardly toward the magnet (Fig.` 5) swinging the arm'58 andparticularly the lower end thereof,

inwardly toward shaft 22, so that the notched or rabbeted end rof lockingmember 53 drops into engagement with the lowerY part of spring (il)V below the slot 6i. When the magnet 50 is deenergized, the spring 53 returns the armature 5I to its normal position moving the arm`58 and the lower end of spring 60 toward the right, as

' viewed in Fig. 5, to the position 'indicated in dot 75 Y fab-46510 Y and'dash lines, thus moving the locking portion be in-the form of cams 8l, 82 and 83.

period.

of the spring 60 out of engagement with the toothed periphery of wheel 36, and permitting the latter to return to its normal inoperative position under the action of spring 48. When the rotary unit thus returns to its normal starting position an arm 61 on shaft 22 engages a fixed stop element 69.. An escapement mechanism is provided to prevent shock and rebound under these conditions, this mechanism comprising an escapement wheel 65 secured to shaft 22 and a verge 66 pivotally mounted on the adjoining frame structure.

It is evident that the mechanism which has justbeen described is effective in rotating the circuit-closing members 3D and Sle so that they may close the corresponding switches 3d and 33 as the rotary unit is advanced, due to the stepped movement of the wheel 36, and that after each advanced movement of the rotary unit for a given period, the reset magnet may be energized to cause the locking spring 6i. to be held out of its normal position by the member 53, thus permitting the rotary unit, including wheel 36, to return to the normal starting position, whereupon the iirst energization of magnet 3l causes the end of armature member 38 to lift the locking element 53, moving it upwardly out of engagement with the lower end of locking spring 60 so that the parts are returned to the position illustrated in Fig. 1. The locking spring can then resume its normal function of locking the rotary unit against return movement under the action of spring t3.

Associated with the mechanism which has so far been vdescribed is a clock mechanism including a synchronous motor 3Q which is schematically illustrated in the wiring diagram of Fig. 6, and is connected by suitable reduction gearing to a shaft Sa which may make one revolution during each fifteen-minute period. This clock mechanism may include a dial suitably divided to indicate intervals corresponding to the fractions of the period during which the mechanism of the circuit-closer assembly completes one cycle of operations, e. g., period of fifteen minutes. The motor B drives suitable circuit-closing elements which as schematically illustrated in Fig. 6 may The cam 3! may have a periphery shaped to hold the correspo-nding switch 3d in closed position for twothirds of a rotation of the motor shaft. Thus if the motor shaft 85a rotates once during a fifteen-minute period the cam 8l may hold the switch Sli in closed position for the first ten minutes ci the fifteen-minute period and then permit the contacts of the switch 8!! automaticallyto separate. Y A similar conditioning switch 85 may be associated with the cam 82 which has a periphery shaped to hold the switch S5 closed for a longer portion of the period or time during which the shaft Sta makes one revolution. If, for example, this shaft makes one revolution in fifteen minutes, the cam 32 may hold its switch closed for the first fourteeen minutes of the he Uhird cam 83 is provided with a small projection or rise portion 89 which may contact the switch 81 for a very short interval of time or almost instantaneously to close this switch which is connected to the reset magnet 5S of the circuit-closer assembly.

A watt-hour meter mechanism also forms a y part of the apparatus include-d in the present invention. This assembly may be provided with any suitable driving means, receiving energy through leads IDI, |02, which are provided with respective branches |03, l0@ extending to the clock motor Sil. Thus the rotation of the shaft 86a and movement of cams 8l, 82 and 83 is assured as long as energy is being supplied to the watt-hour meter mechanism W. The watt-hour meter is provided with a rotary portion m5 which may be of conventional form and which is driven at a speed exactly corresponding to the load being measured by the watt-hour meter. Associated with and movable at a speed relative to that of the member IE5 is a circuit-closing wheel E99 which may have a plurality of protuberances engageabe with one arm lG'I of a switch |08. This switch is connected by a lead H39 with a full wave rectier R1, the latter being connected to the advancing magnet 3l. Thus repeated closings of the switch lB result in repeated impulses passing to magnet 21 and the consequent advance movement of the rotary unit of the circuit-closer assembly. Accordingly the circuitclosing arms 30 and S of the circuit-closer assembly are advanced toward their circuit-closing positions at a speed proportional to the electrical load which is effective in causing the operation of the wattmeter mechanism W.

The main source of electrical energy for this apparatus is provided by leads i l@ and il! which are connected with any suitable source of current supply such as a source of alternate current, and which may extend to one winding P of a transformer, the secondary S of which is provided with one lead H2 having branches H3 and Hd extending to the rectifier R1 and a second rectifier R2 which is associated with the reset magnet 59. A branch l Va of the lead l i3 is connected to the armature H5 of a relay assembly which includes a relay magnet l?? to which the lead H3a is also connected. When the magnet H1 is energized the armature H5 moves to circuit-closing position, permitting current to flow from lead H3e through a lead H9 and through the operating mechanism of a warning signal B which may be in the form of a conventional electric bell. From the latter a lead 28 extends to a return lead SZl connected to the secondary winding S of the transformer. A lead 423 extends from the magnet I'l to one side of the conditioning switch 84 and from the latter a lead E25 extends to one side of the switch B of the circuit-closer assembly, the opposite side of this switch being connected to the return lead l2 l.

A similar wiring arrangement is assoicated with the lead i lli which is provided with a branch l Me connected to an armature member H5@ and a magnet ille, the armature, when attracted to the magnet, being effective in closing a circuit between the lead lilla and a lead I 3G extending to one side of an audible warning signal such as an electric horn H. A lead l3l connects the opposite side of this horn to the return lead l2 l. From the relay magnet lila a lead 33 extends to one side of conditioning switch 85, the lead 435 extending from the opposite side of this switch to the switch 33 of the circuit-closer assembly, this switch 33 being connected by a short lead 53e with the return lead H2B. From lead 25 a connection ldd extends to one side of the switch ISS the opposite side of which is connected to the rectier R1 as has been previously described. A second branch M2 of lead E25 is connected to one side of switch 8l, the opposite side of the latter being connected by a lead Hit to the rectier R2. From the latter leads M5 and M5 are connected to the reset coil 5D of the circuit-closer mechanism.

' tion, for example, closing switch Si.

In the operation of apparatus of this character the synchronous motor 85 is driven by current received from the leads ll and H32 extending to the watt-hour meter mechanism W, therefore as long as the main line for the electric load is in proper condition the motor 85 should receive current. At the beginning of each predetermined period, as a fifteen-minute period, the motor Bil being in rotation causes the closing of switches 84 Yand 85 by means of cams 8l and 82 respectively, the conditioning switch 84 remaining closed for a fraction of the period, as for example the first ten minutes of the fifteen-minute period, and the conditioning switch 85 remaining closed for a larger fraction of the period as for example the first fourteen of the fteen minutes. In the meantime the wattmeter member HB is rotating at a speed proportional to the load upon the main power supply lines and the switch w8 is being closed and opened in rapid succession at.

intervals proportional to the speed of the watthour meter mechanism, thus being effective in sending impulses through the rectier R1 to the advancing coil 37 which acts through the ratchet element dll in the manner already described to rotate the rotary unit including shaft 22 and the circuit-closer arms 3G from there initial starting position. When the amount cf current consumed exceeds the fraction of the predetermined total for which the corresponding circuit-closer arm 3Q is set this arm moves into circuit-closing posi- If this switch is closed before the switch 84 is opened a circuit is completed through the relay ri ll which Y results in the movement of armature H5 to circuit-closing position and the energization of bell B and a consequent ringing of the bell to give an audible warning signal that the quota of current is being exceeded. Under ordinary operating conditions the switch Sli would not be closed in this manner until the switch S4 were opened and under these conditions the circuit for magnet lil would remain open through the cycle of operation. When a larger fraction as 14/ 15 of the allotted amount of current is consumed the circuit-closer 35a would be effective in closing switch 33 thus completing the circuit through relay magnet lila if the chronometrically controlled conditioning switch 84 has not already opened. When the circuit through magnet H'la is completed the horn H is energized and a second audible warning signal is given. At the end of each fifteen-minute period the cam l83 momentarily closes switch 8l permitting current to :ow from lead M2 through the switchand lead M3 to the rectifier R2 whence current may pass through the reset coil 5i).` As previously described, the reset coil is then effective in moving the locking element 53 into engagement with the locking spring Sil. When the reset coil 5G is de- .energized the spring 6i? is swung to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 permitting the spring 48 to reset the rotary unit to its initial starting position at the instant when the next fteen-minute interval is starting and the cams V8l and 82 are again closing switches 84 and 85.

The spring @il will return to its normal position in engagement with wheel 35 when coil 31 is energized by the next impulse received fromV current at a rate exceedingy thev rate permitted by lthe agreement with the power supply company, so that the machines consuming the excessive current may be shut down and so that lany possibility of exceeding the permitted quota may be avoided, thusavoiding liability for the excessive penalty rates that otherwise would be imposed by the power supply company. The arrangement of the disk 23 permits the adjustment of the positioning of circuit-closers Slto conform to any desiredvariation in the proportional amount of current to be employed for theV determined fractions of the total time interval, thus permitting adjustment to suit different load requirements and agreements. Furthermore, the pointer 5 may afford a visual indication'of the amount of current being consumed so that this dial may be used for signaling means rather than orrin addition to the audible signals if desired. Ordinarily, however, the audible signals are advantageous since they may afford a loudjwarning sufficient to call attention to the liability of exceeding the predetermined quota of current consumption under practically any working conditions.

The Y arrangement disclosed herein is illustrated byway of example and obviously may be varied by the use of well known expedients which are to be regarded as within the scope of the appended claims, such, for example, as the arrangement of the magnets Illa, so that they are normally energized to hold the armature members H5 out ofengagement with the contacts connected to the signals B and H, respectively. Withthis arrangement, when the magnets Vare deenergized, the arms [l5 Yand H5a may move to circuit-closing position under thefactionV of gravity. For this purpose the position of the recessed and rise portions o the cams 3| and 82 may be reversed so that, for example, theswitch 84 is open during the irst ten minutes of the fifteenminute period and the switch 85 is open during the flrstfourteen minutesV of the period, the switches 34 and 33 being arranged in parallel Y with switches 84 and 85 and being opened rather than closed when actuated bythe arms 3B and 36a. With this arrangement current would be supplied to the magnets H5 and H5@ through either the switches 84 and 35 or through the norr tov effect the operation of a` circuit breaker,

whether of the normally closed circuit or Vopen circuit type, thus to interrupt current flow through the main power lines lill and |02 when the load quota exceeds a determined amount within any fifteen-minute time interval. A circuit breaker rnay also be arranged to prevent supply of energy through leads lill and I E2 in 4re- -sponse to a reduction in or interruption of the current in leads H0 andlll or leads H2 and I2I,

thus preventing the continued employment of current received through the main power lines if there is liability of the indicating apparatus not vfunctioning properly. Such a circuitV breaker preferably may be of the manual reset type so that the attention of an attendant would be called to the interruption of current iiow over the main supply lines due to the reduction or interruption of current supplied to the indicating apparatus. It is evident that an arrangement of this type is particularly advantageous, since it enables a warning signal or warning signals to give notice to the operator of the device or machine consuming the energy, such, for example,

. as an electric furnace, so that he can voluntarily reduce the amount of current consumption, but so that upon his failure to do this to an adequate extent the current may be denitely cut ofi when it reaches the maximum allotted quantity.

Fig. 8 illustrates an arrangement which may be employed to permit adjustment of one or more of the cams operated by the clock mechanism 8. In this figure the cam Sie may correspond to the cam t@ but is mounted loosely upon the shaft tte, having teeth E65 normally engageable with teeth upon a disk les that is secured to the shaft Hita. A compression spring IS7 normally presses the cam against the plate H66 so that the teeth upon these parts are in interlocking engagement. If it is desired to adjust the position of the cam in relation to the plate, the cam is moved away from the disk itt and the spring 67 is compressed. The cam is then turned to the desired adjusted position and released so that the spring moves it back into engagement with the teeth of the disk.

An arrangement of this character may be advantageous in conjunction with or in addition to the adjustment for varying the responsiveness to load conditions of the apparatus which is illustrated in Figs. l and 4. If desired, a general arrangement oi the type shown in Fig. 8 may be employed rather than the adjustable circuit closer arrangement of Figs. l and 4 to permit variation in the amount of electrical energy which will be effective in causing the warning signal and/or the circuit breaker to be operated.

The provision of the adjustable cam means is advantageous in certain installations and avoids the necessity for supplying new cams when changes in the conditions of current consumption develop. For example, the cam Si is shaped to cause opening of the switch Bil at the end of a ten-minute period. If this cam is made adjustable in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8, it might be turned to a position to permit the opening of switch Btl at the end of twelve minutes. While theoretically there might be an objection that for the first two minutes of the fteen-minute Vperiod switch 865 would be opened rather than closed when the cam had thus been adjusted, it is obvious that there is no likelihood of the maximum current quota being consumed in the first two minutes of the hitech-minute period, and even in such a case the cam 82 is holding switch 85 closed during this first two-minute fraction of the uiteen-minute period, so that a warning signal would be given if the maximum quota were approached.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising a pair of electrically operable warning signals, electrical circuits effective when closed to cause operation of the respective signals, conditioning switches associated with the respective circuits, common chronometric means for holding said conditioning switches closed during diierent periods of time which terminate at definitely spaced intervals relative to each other, and a control circuit, a circuit-closing element for closing said control circuit, a watt-hour meter mechanism for controlling said element to cause closings of the control circuit proportional to the electrical load actuating the watt-hour meter, an advancing magnet in said control circuit energizable in response to closings of that circuit, a pair of circuit-ciosing members, means operated by said magnet to advance said members from a determined starting position to control said first-named circuits respectively, so that the corresponding circuit may be closed to operate the corresponding signal when the circuit-closing member is advanced to circuit-closing position While the conditioning switch is being maintained in its closed position,andreset mechanism associated with said chronometric means and circuit-closing members to cause the return of the circuit-closing members to their starting positions in synchronized relation to the beginning of the periods wherein the corresponding conditioning switches are being held in their closed positions.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising two control circuits, short-interval and longinterval switches and cirouit-closers for controlling said circuits respectively, cyclic chronometric means for opening and closing said switches during each cycle for short and long intervals respectively, and load-responsive means operatively connected to said circuit-closers to actuate the same if the load reaches predetermined low and high maxima during said intervals respectively, the low-maximum circuit-closer controlling the same circuit as the short-interval switch and the high-maximum circuit-closer controlling the same circuit as the long-interval switch whereby the condition of one circuit is altered if the load tends to exceed the predetermined maximum within the shorter interval and the condition of the other circuit is altered if the load tends to exceed the predetermined maximum within the longer interval.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising two control circuits, cyclic chronometric means for conditioning each circuit during each cycle at intervals ending at different times, loadresponsive means for altering each circuit at different times within each cycle if the load tends to exceed a predetermined maximum before the expiration of said intervals respectively, whereby the condition of one circuit is altered if the load tends to exceed the predetermined maximum before the end of one interval and the other circuit is altered if the load tends to exceed the predetermined maximum before the end of the other interval, two signalling devices, said devices being operable respectively by the circuits when thus altered.

PHILIP C. GORDON. 

